What’s in your Wine? Reflections of a Curious Sage

You may have thought I intended to discuss the fine qualities of good wine. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but what I want to address is how others can try to poison our lives by spiking our wine and inviting us to drink with them.

The devious character President Coriolanus Snow from the Hunger Games series is a great case in point. President Snow is an individual who is both controlling and cunning. He is a skilled manipulator and from nearly the beginning of the series, he becomes the one character nearly everyone despises. Later we learn that President Snow has a nasty habit of using poison in wine he shares with those who get in his path toward domination.

I think it’s fair to say we have all experienced a President Snow (or a few) in our lives. They may at first appear charming, eloquent, and sophisticated. Their words are smooth and seemingly positive. They may compliment us to make us believe their motives are noble. They are often someone seemingly worthy of an important position. It’s only over time we come to discover how they use this charm to disguise a darker and more devious motivation. They are often the ones that speak words of praise while in your presence only to spew vitriol behind your back. Sometimes we spot the game early and yet all too often, it’s only after the damage is obvious that we realize we’ve been duped; we have been used and manipulated in their Hunger Games style story.

During the series, we learn that Snow would often drink from the same glass or decanter of wine to trick the unwitting target into believing all is fine. Consuming an anecdote to counter the poison’s deadly effects, he would lull his adversary into sharing a seemingly innocent toast with a healthy dose of praise and compliments. In this way he distracts and disarms his adversary while all the while plotting their destruction. Being tricked into drinking, his target discovers the truth only too late. I think we all know people like this. They are often deceptively narcissistic. They use all the right words appearing as a benevolent leader while plotting to eliminate their target.

We learn later in the series that after years of small doses of poison, the damage takes its toll on the President. To disguise the odor of the poison, he wears fragrant white roses. This pattern of behavior is difficult for people like this to break. They’re willing to keep drinking from the same cup believing their long-term objectives are worth the risks. Here is where the law of karma steps in. Sooner or later, people like this find the anecdote they have relied upon no longer works and years of consuming small doses of poison finally take their toll.

The key insight here is awareness. You can choose to drink from this cup, gulping down the fragrant and tasty words of praise and compliments, or you can choose instead to pass. When your self-worth is dependent upon the affirmations of others, it’s much easier to fall victim to the President Snows in our world. It may taste good in the present and may feed our egos believing that someone important finds value in us. What may lie hidden however is the truth that we are simply being used as a pawn in their self-centered power game.

I’m not suggesting that everyone is motivated by greed and power, but distinguishing between authenticity and falsity is not always easy. Instead, knowing your own worth and loving yourself deeply is the best anecdote to keep from drinking from a cup filled with poison. Trust your intuition to guide you in sorting the wine that is untainted and that which is laced with poison – listen to it. To avoid falling victim to the President Snows in life, know your own true value and worth and rely less on others. You’ll be healthier and happier that way.

If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it and also check out some of the other reflections at www.connect2action.com.

I believe in the transformative power of human connection to elevate joy, restore balance, and support inner healing as you seek your highest purpose. My purpose in life is to be a guide, to share the wisdom of the Universe I’ve been gifted with, and to see others succeed. Nothing brings me greater joy than to see others step into their purpose in a vibrant and highly energetic way.

Searching for deeper insight into your highest life purpose? Trying to find your true path and discover how to step into your gifts and be aligned with your own truth? I offer a range of services focused on offering you insight and support on your life’s path. Check out www.connect2action.com for more insight and services.

If you enjoyed this blog, feel free to share it and also check out some of the other reflections at www.connect2action.com.

I believe in the transformative power of human connection to elevate joy, restore balance, and support inner healing as you seek your highest purpose. My purpose in life is to be a guide, to share the wisdom of the Universe I’ve been gifted with, and to see others succeed. Nothing brings me greater joy than to see others step into their purpose in a vibrant and highly energetic way.

Searching for deeper insight into your highest life purpose? Trying to find your true path and discover how to step into your gifts and be aligned with your own truth? I offer a range of services focused on offering you insight and support on your life’s path. Check out www.connect2action.com for more insight and services.

You may have thought I intended to discuss the fine qualities of good wine. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but what I want to address is how others can try to poison our lives by spiking our wine and inviting us to drink with them. The devious character President Coriolanus Snow from the Hunger Games […]